NationStates Jolt Archive

I didn't see a thread for this....

Call centre worker caught out by boss after posting 'sickie' plan on 'Facebook'

After a particularly heavy night out Kyle Doyle decided that he would phone in sick and treat himself to a day in bed.

To celebrate his day off Kyle, a 21-year-old call centre worker, updated the status on his Facebook page to reflect the fact.

Unfortunately for Kyle, his online boast did not go unnoticed by his employers.

On his profile on the site he wrote: 'not going to work, f*** it i'm still trashed SICKIE WOO.'

Now an email exchange between Kyle and the HR department at the call centre where he worked has been forwarded around the world.

When Kyle protests that his absence was because he was ill, the HR employee simply forwards him a clip of his Facebook profile.

The exchange begins with an HR employee, Niresh Regmi, asking Kyle to provide a medical certificate for his day off.

Kyle objects to the request and says that his contract does not require him to provide a certificate if he is off sick.

However, Regmi is insistent and informs Kyle that his line manager has decided that his absence was not related to medical reasons.

Seemingly angry, Kyle again refuses and insists that his leave is processed as normal.

It is at this point that Regmi simply replies: ‘I believe the proof that you are after is below’ and attaches a copy of Kyle's Facebook profile.

The call centre have said that they will be launching an investigation.

The full exchange:

HR: Please provide a medical certificate stating a valid reason for your sick leave on Thursday 21st2008.

Kyle: “1 day leave absences do not require a medical certificate as stated in my contract, provided I have stated that I am on leave for medical reasons.”

HR: Usually that is the case, as per your contract. However please note that leave during these occasions is only granted for genuine medical reasons. You line manager has determined that your leave was not due to medical reasons and as such we cannot grant leave on this occasion.

Kyle: My leave was due to medical reasons, so you cannot deny leave based on a line manager’s discretion, with no proof, please process leave as requested.

HR:I believe the proof that you are after is below (a screen grab of the Facebook page is attached to the email).

Link. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1080010/Call-centre-worker-caught-boss-posting-sickie-plan-Facebook.html)

Most people are not so transparently stupid as to document that they're playing hooky from work, but it's an acknowledged fact of life in what I do that people often take time off from work when they're not actually ill. If someone continuously abuses the sick time privilege, such as routinely taking off Fridays or Mondays for example, then that can be cause for investigation, but for the bulk of people who take a day off now and then when they're not feeling up to coming in, it's just ignored.

I'm personally of the opinion that the American workforce is overworked, and that exploring alternative work schedules (my favorite is the 4x10) might increase productivity. Of course, I suppose in the face of such overwhelming evidence, one might feel compelled to force the issue.

Getting beyond the hilarious stupidity of this kid, what do you think the proper reaction would be from his company regarding this? Should he be terminated? Merely reprimanded? The potential courses of action for the company, besides just doing nothing, range from denying his sick pay to terminating him from misconduct.

I'm personally of the opinion that the American workforce is overworked, and that exploring alternative work schedules (my favorite is the 4x10) might increase productivity. Of course, I suppose in the face of such overwhelming evidence, one might feel compelled to force the issue.
That would be great if I could still make the same amount with those reduced hours...
I work 5x11-14 now
Getting beyond the hilarious stupidity of this kid, what do you think the proper reaction would be from his company regarding this? Should he be terminated? Merely reprimanded? The potential courses of action for the company, besides just doing nothing, range from denying his sick pay to terminating him from misconduct.

fired

Back when I had jobs you could call in sick to it was always with a nod and a wink when I called in 'not really' sick. Mostly because I would still come in if I was sick, so if I called in 'sick' it's because I needed the day off for my own reasons. But then, I wouldn't stay at jobs run by stress cases for very long, so that might be the difference.

That would be great if I could still make the same amount with those reduced hours...
I work 5x11-14 now

You're still based on a 5x8 though, right? Nothing would prohibit you from working overtime on a 4x10. At any rate, obviously it would only really apply to the regular 9 to 5ers of the world.

fired

Based solely on the fact that there's the proof in this particular case? I can see that. But people do what he did all the time. They're usually just not so stupid. HR people are not as stupid as employees sometimes think. A hoarse voice and a couple coughs are not usually very convincing.

How amusing... and annoyingly I really feel sick at the moment. My head and throat are killing me.

You're still based on a 5x8 though, right? Nothing would prohibit you from working overtime on a 4x10. At any rate, obviously it would only really apply to the regular 9 to 5ers of the world.
No, actually I'm not. The basis is that I do the work assigned for me for the day, when it's done I can go home. Of course I'm also not paid by the hour (or an office worker for that matter)

Based solely on the fact that there's the proof in this particular case? I can see that. But people do what he did all the time. They're usually just not so stupid. HR people are not as stupid as employees sometimes think. A hoarse voice and a couple coughs are not usually very convincing.
Because he was stupid enough to publicize the fact that he was playing hooky. I have called in sick when I wasn't, I did not however go bragging about it.

I'd say he should be reprimanded. He was stupid for posting it, but it isn't quite the end of the world

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24549798-421,00.html

It seems to be a hoax.

Because he was stupid enough to publicize the fact that he was playing hooky. I have called in sick when I wasn't, I did not however go bragging about it.

Understandable. But people get caught in these lies all the time. Usually, if they're pressed for the doctor's note, they acquiesce. His mistake was forcing the issue like a dickhead.

Personally, I would give him an official reprimand and put in his day off as unpaid leave. If he continued to force the issue in light of the evidence, he might be terminated, but unless he had shown a pattern of this sort of thing (playing hooky, that is), I would view it as an overreaction to jump directly to termination.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24549798-421,00.html

It seems to be a hoax.

Aww, rain on my parade why don't you? Oh well. We can still discuss the issue as a hypothetical, right?

I didn't see a thread for this....



Link. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1080010/Call-centre-worker-caught-boss-posting-sickie-plan-Facebook.html)

Most people are not so transparently stupid as to document that they're playing hooky from work, but it's an acknowledged fact of life in what I do that people often take time off from work when they're not actually ill. If someone continuously abuses the sick time privilege, such as routinely taking off Fridays or Mondays for example, then that can be cause for investigation, but for the bulk of people who take a day off now and then when they're not feeling up to coming in, it's just ignored.

I'm personally of the opinion that the American workforce is overworked, and that exploring alternative work schedules (my favorite is the 4x10) might increase productivity. Of course, I suppose in the face of such overwhelming evidence, one might feel compelled to force the issue.

Getting beyond the hilarious stupidity of this kid, what do you think the proper reaction would be from his company regarding this? Should he be terminated? Merely reprimanded? The potential courses of action for the company, besides just doing nothing, range from denying his sick pay to terminating him from misconduct.
Hey, he's the idiot who posted an admission of his lying in a public place. He deserves to suffer the consequences.

That said, I do agree the American workforce is overworked, and does not get the rest it deserves on vacation time.

Hey, he's the idiot who posted an admission of his lying in a public place. He deserves to suffer the consequences.

Yeah, I know...that's why I made this thread. To discuss what people believe the consequences should be. Do you think he should be terminated? Reprimanded?

I remember hearing about certain companies (one of the big multi-nationals I think) which used to have a regulation which entitled employees to a certain number of 'sickies' where they could call in and have the day off, no notice, no questions asked. This was the principle that people would take sickies and if there was a system set up for it it would limit the total number of days taken.

But that could just be an urban myth.

Yeah, I know...that's why I made this thread. To discuss what people believe the consequences should be. Do you think he should be terminated? Reprimanded?

I honestly don't know. On one hand, he's displaying a blatant disregard for dedication to his job, which to me is a really bad thing.

On the other hand, he might be really difficult to replace, and this may be a one time thing.

Understandable. But people get caught in these lies all the time. Usually, if they're pressed for the doctor's note, they acquiesce.

I don't generally have a doctors note when I AM sick. I don't have the extra money to throw around going to a doctor who will tell me what I already know "You have the flu, stay home drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. Now here's my bill."

I honestly don't know. On one hand, he's displaying a blatant disregard for dedication to his job, which to me is a really bad thing

He works at a call center. Not exactly a job that you aspire for.

he should just be reprimanded unless they were looking for a reason to fire him. because lets be honest we all do this.

he should just be reprimanded unless they were looking for a reason to fire him. because lets be honest we all do this.

Everyone publicly proclaims that they are playing hooky? That is my problem with it. (And yes, I saw Fass' link showing the story to be untrue)

Everyone publicly proclaims that they are playing hooky? That is my problem with it. (And yes, I saw Fass' link showing the story to be untrue)

he should get reprimanded for being caught. Regardless if it is stupidity, bad luck, or them checking up on you.

unless they have been wanting to fire him and just need a reason of course.


well not everyone proclaims skipping. but the skipping is common.

he should get reprimanded for being caught. Regardless if it is stupidity, bad luck, or them checking up on you.

unless they have been wanting to fire him and just need a reason of course.
I'd say immense stupidity is a very good reason for firing...

well not everyone proclaims skipping. but the skipping is common.
Yeah, as I stated earlier in the thread I play hooky occaisionally as well

I'd say immense stupidity is a very good reason for firing...




you can lack common sense but still be intelligent and productive at work.

I remember hearing about certain companies (one of the big multi-nationals I think) which used to have a regulation which entitled employees to a certain number of 'sickies' where they could call in and have the day off, no notice, no questions asked. This was the principle that people would take sickies and if there was a system set up for it it would limit the total number of days taken.

But that could just be an urban myth.

My company has this rule, granted we arent a big multinational, but we are alowed to take 2 *baal*days a year, call in, you get the day of, no questions.

I'm not sure what word is balen in english, its a sort off general feeling of pissed-offness at everything.


As to this guy, i wouldnt fire him just for this, but i would let him know that i will check up on any future sick calls. (i co-manage a callcenter)